Wednesday, August 31, 2011

I just received an email from Spinneybeck on their new laser engraved leather tiles! While leather tiles have been around a while. This image struck me...

I love the color and pattern and because it's leather it gives the wall even more depth. These would made a great accent wall. There are standard patterns and I'm sure they come in hundreds of colors. You can do custom too!

This pattern would be cool!

Spinneybeck also carries other leather tiles. Here's a few of their products...

Ann Sacks Piel leather tiles look so decadent

Ann Sacks Cowden Bell Tile

Ann Sacks Cowden Bell Gator

Edelman Leather is another great leather company that makes both floor and wall tiles.

This is my favorite!

DreamHome, the Design House at the Merchandise Mart in Edelman Ivory & Black
by Anne Coyle

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

It's my favorite time of year! Fall fashion is hitting stores and I can hardly wait to get my hands on a chunky blanket sweater and some maxi skirts! I won't be able to wear them until October but when have I ever let that stop me before.

According to the Anthropologie facebook page: "Oh, fashion, you silly little thing, you! Ushering in autumn before temperatures drop; flaunting your woolens, cords and tweeds in such a way that has us questioning whether wearing a cableknit poncho in 90-degree heat is, in fact, completely logical."This is exactly how I feel!!

So let's start with the Pantone 2011 Fashion Color Trend Forecast:

We are seeing a lot of mustards

The Row and Wes-Gordon Fall/Winter 2011

and burnt colors for Fall as well as some heather grays,

Michael Kors

Jade Green

Yigal Azrouel, Honor and Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fall-Winter 2011

and Champagnes.

Donna Karen Valentino

As far as prints, it's all about polka dots, plaids and a touch of lace.

Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg, Fall-Winter 2011

Tory Burch, Adam and DKNY, Fall-Winter 2011

Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung, Fall-Winter 2011

For coats, the color was Rust. Everything is getting a little more earthy this year!

Jill Stuart and DKNY, Fall-Winter 2011

When it comes to styling, here are the top trends:

Maxi Skirts with Cozy Sweaters - my favorite Fall trend!

Max Azria and Tracy Reese, Fall-Winter 2011

The working girl dress:

Luca Luca, Adam and Jill Stuart, Fall-Winter 2011

Notice the lengths of these dresses. The mid-calf hem is very trendy this Fall and is termed the "midi" also in for Fall 2011 is knee length skirts, gone are the minis!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Ok, I realize that not all of you have been following our blog from beginning so today I wanted to bring back some of our favorite "What Were They Thinking Thursdays!!??". I also realize that a lot of you are reading this right now and haven't committed to follow our blog yet. Just take that next step, click follow and commit to this blog relationship. We know you love reading it and we are always here for you so stop being a commitment phob and just click FOLLOW!

Ok, back to our favs:

Be sure to go to our Facebook page and vote which one is the best "What Were They Thinking Thursday!!!??"

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's been a while since we've posted much. Jessica is moving and I went on vacation for a week. We went to Gulf Shores, AL. It's was wonderful and relaxing to be with family and friends.

Usually on vacation, especially a relaxing one, I seem to get clarity and step back from my life. I realized that going into debt over my pride wasn't the smartest decision. I need to be a better business women and steward of my family's income. I decided that moving Studio B Designs into my home makes the best financial sense. It started out of my home, so I know what to expect. Who can possibly predict what God has in store for us. Life can change so suddenly. This past year has been exciting and tumultuous. I know there is a purpose and a path that God has provided, I just need to figure it out.

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? v33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." I long for a xanax daily and worry about eating because I love food! I worry about wanting it and then about the calories! And who doesn't worry about how they look?! I certainly lust over a new Anthropologie outfit ...

and Trina Turk Pillows ....

It's very easy to get sucked into constantly wanting things, especially in my profession. I believe the challenge is to have balance and to be content. Matthew 6 says simplicity is vital to living a life that worships God.Prayer can shift the focus from ourselves to God. I must remember to put God and people first and then have those few things that bring joy to my life. If you can't afford it, then it can't bring you joy. So, I need to shift my focus and I sometimes I need to do this hourly.

I will be moving the office into my home by the end of September 2011. I will be posting before and after pictures as well as progress updates. I know many businesses right now are having to do the same thing. So hopefully, you will be inspired by our move.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Lately I have been getting the same bill in the mail over and over for my cable company that I canceled over a moth ago. I have called and talked to someone on the phone 3 different times to try to get this thing straightened out and for some reason man and machine can not converse. Each time I call, the customer service rep is so apologetic and says they just can't understand why this hasn't been canceled in the computer. I am starting to get really frustrated. It just seems to be a very inefficient use of paper and mail.

How many times has this happened to you? You call and talk to someone on the phone to get something canceled or dealt with but you are never taken out of the system so you constantly get junk in the mail. My brother is 32 years old and hasn't lived at home for 15 years yet his credit card statement still gets sent to my parent's house even though he has called and changed the address numerous times.

Another extremely annoying thing we get sent in the mail are magazine renewals. It is so frustrating because it's not time to renew! We keep getting statements that say, "Hurry, renew now! You're running out of time!" No we're not! We have 2 more years on our subscription. It gets really confusing because every time we get one we have to check quickbooks to see when the last check we sent was and how much longer we have on our subscription. They are just trying to get more money out of us and we will end up having a magazine subscription for 50 years! Does this happen to any of you out there?

We are just frustrated this morning and so we just wanted to vent a little bit! Just so we don't ruin your day thinking about all the accounts that keep sending you mail, here's a couple fabulous shoes from Miu Miu Fall 2011! Drool!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

So sorry I've been away from the computer and the blog for a while now and all you are getting is an occasional post. But here's my excuse: WE MOVED!!!

Oh my gosh I have never been more happy to have something over with in my life, I would even go through college finals all over again over moving, by myself, in 108 degree weather! It was a nightmare. My husband Eric had to be out of town for work so I was stuck with getting the job done. I was sweating profusely from 9:30 in the morning until 9:30 at night!

You might be wondering what awesome super cute house did we buy and move into? I am wondering the same thing. Yep that's right, we are in transition folks. When people ask I just tell them we are nomads at the moment. We are bunking in my parent's boat house until we can get things figured out, like where we want to live and all that.

I am so happy that we are all finished moving but I know we are just going to have to do the same thing as soon as we find a new house. I am not sure how long this transition is going to be because we have actually made an offer on two houses already and they have both fallen through. One due to a California owner who doesn't quite understand Texas prices and the other, an adorable 1945 cottage that had severe structural issues and I was not about to fall into that money pit. So I am starting to think that God might be telling us something, something like just be patient and wait, something that I have to be told a lot!

Now that we don't own a house we kind of feel like we could just go anywhere. Be adventurous and take off for the beach, hmm or maybe the mountains. I don't know, the sky....errr Eric's employment... is the limit! However I do have 6 incredibly cute nephews and 1 adorable niece that I just don't think I could leave behind.

nutrition facts

The purpose of this blog is to allow our creative juices to flow. While maintaining "focus" is a necessary and vital role in our profession, we are foremost designers and we need to be free to think beyond possibilities. Why not invite you in to experience it with us and capture some of that juice to nourish your soul. We believe in authenticity, order and most of all beauty. "Design is thoughtful making or rather, thought before making."